Many people enjoy getting a massage, whether to relax or to get relief from sore muscles — but not all massage services are alike. If a man tells you he’s been for a “rub and tug,” he got more than a massage.
Read on to discover what a rub and tug is and where this slang term originated.
Meaning
A “rub and tug,” alternatively stylized as “rub ‘n tug,” is a slang term for a massage parlor that also provides sexual services. Such establishments may be advertised openly or quickly build up a reputation.
The “rub” in “rug and tug” is a massage, while “tug” refers to a hand job, the manual stimulation of a man’s penis.
Example Usage
These example sentences illustrate how the slang phrase “rub and tug” is used in practice:
- “Some guys really enjoy a rub and tug, but I don’t get the appeal. Hundreds of others have passed through that massage table, and the sheets are probably still dirty.”
- “Oh no, Auntie Beth, you shouldn’t go that place down the street if you want a massage for your back pain! That parlor is what some people would call a rub ‘n tug… a seedy place for men if you know what I mean.”
- “Rub and tugs used to be open secrets, but you can easily find them on the internet these days.”
Origin
The phrase “rub and tug” (or “rub ‘n tug”) emerged at some point during the later half of the 20th century.
A rub and tug parlor is an establishment that provides sexual services to men that is marketed as a massage parlor. The services offered are usually limited to “hand jobs,” or manual erotic stimulation. Rub and tug establishments may or may not also provide genuine massages.
Massage parlors are used as a front for paid sexual services (prostitution) because massages are legal almost everywhere in the world, but prostitution is often a crime.
Customers can spot such fake massage parlors in several ways:
- Though “rub and tug” parlors can be located anywhere, they are often found in seedy parts of town.
- Rub and rug parlors often use neon signs. They have a shady interior.
- You won’t find massage therapists’ diplomas on the wall — these establishments are not about massages.
You can find a high-quality massage therapist online; spas have professional websites and customer reviews. The interior is classy and relaxing, and the massage therapist will be happy to show you their qualifications.
Note that the term “rub and tug” is occasionally used to refer to any hand job, including one that happens outside of a massage parlor. This usage is rare.
Phrases Similar to Rub and Tug
Related phrases include:
- Happy ending — a phrase that refers to the orgasm he has after receiving a massage.
- Erotic massage or exotic massage — both terms indicate establishments offer either massages and sexual services or just sexual services.
- Wank shack — another slang term for a rub and tug, “wank,” meaning a hand job.
Phrases Opposite to Rub and Tug
Terms you can expect to encounter in connection with true massages include:
- Certified massage therapist — a qualified professional who offers massages.
- Sports massage — designed to soothe athletes’ sore muscles.
- Chiropractor — these doctors incorporate massage into their techniques.
What Is the Correct Saying?
The correct phrase is “rub and tug,” also spelled “rub ‘n rug.” It refers to a massage parlor that offers sexual services.
Ways People May Say Rub and Tug Incorrectly
Do not refer to a massage as a rub and tug — people will assume you are talking about receiving sexual services from a prostitute.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Rub and Tug
“Rub and tug” is a graphic way to describe a graphic process. You may use the phrase “rub and tug” to describe a seedy massage parlor, but please refrain from using this phrase in polite company.